Australians are using cryptocurrency more and more for everyday payments, even though banking restrictions still make it harder to access crypto services.
A recent survey by the crypto exchange Independent Reserve polled 2,000 Australians in January 2026. It found that the share of people using crypto for payments doubled from 6% to 12% compared to last year.
Nearly one in three Australians now own cryptocurrencies, and many see them as more than just an investment—they want to use crypto for real-world spending.
The survey showed that online shopping is the most popular use, with 21% paying with crypto. Other common uses include freelancing payments and video game purchases, accounting for 16%.
However, banking issues remain a big challenge. About 30% of respondents said their bank had blocked or delayed a payment to a crypto exchange at least once, up from 19.3% in 2025. These delays happen because banks like Commonwealth Bank and National Australia Bank have added measures such as transfer caps, payment delays, and extra identity checks for crypto transactions.
The survey noted that clear regulation and licensing could help fix these problems, making it easier for Australians to use crypto safely.
Australia is still behind other major economies when it comes to crypto regulation. So far, the government has mainly focused on token mapping exercises and public consultations, while the Treasury works on a framework for digital asset service providers.
Earlier this week, Australia’s Senate Economics Legislation Committee said it is considering a bill that would require crypto exchanges and token platforms to operate under existing financial services rules.
In short, more Australians are using crypto for daily spending, but banking hurdles and unclear regulations are slowing things down.
